METONYMY

• Definition
Þ Metonymy is the substitution of the name of one thing for
that of another to which it is related/with which it is
associated.

(In Greek, ‘meta’ means ‘substitution’ and ‘onyma’ means

‘name’.)
(a) A sign substitutes for the person or the object it signifies or
symbolizes.
Examples:
• Can you give me a hand carrying this box up the stairs?
=> Hand (= for help)
• We will swear loyalty to the crown.
=> Crown (= a royal person)
• The White House will be making an announcement around noon today.
=> The White House or The Oval Office (= the President or White House staff)
(b) An instrument substitutes for an agent.
Examples:
• The pen has more influence than the sword.
=> The pen (= the writer)
=> the sword (= the soldier)
• He is the best pen of the day.
=> the best pen (= the beat writer)
• Who brought fire and sword into our country?
=> fire and sword (=a destructive war)
(c) A container substitutes for the thing contained.
- The kettle is boiling.
(the kettle = the water in the kettle)
- He drank the cup.
(the cup = the coffee, the tea, the chocolate, etc. in the cup)
- He is too fond of the bottle
(the bottle = the liquor in the bottle).
Quiz
What is metonymy?
A. Replacing words with associated words
B. Removing adjectives from subjects
C. Metaphorical representation of animals
D. Use of evocative phrasing
Þ A
Which is NOT an example of metonymy?
A. After his father died, he seized the throne.
B. Keep your eyes on the road
C. The pen is mightier than the sword.
D. Get out of town!
Þ D
The expression To bite one's tongue means...
A. "To be very angry".
B. "To make noise while eating".
C. "To hold back from speaking".
=> C